For over six centuries students have studied in Poland. They have come from every European country – and after subsequent geographical discoveries and transformations of civilizations – from every corner of the world.

The Academy of Kraków, the first Polish university was founded through the efforts of the Polish King Kazimir III the Great in 1364. The University was founded on the model of the Academy of Bologna and Padua and became the second – after the University of Prague – institution of higher education in Central Europe. In 1400, King Wladislaw Jagiello II refurbished the Academy, from then on to be called the Jagiellonian University, using the funds of his wife Queen Jadwiga, who had died a year earlier leaving the University all her jewels and royal insignia (she also ordered to be buried in a wooden coffin, rather than one made of gold).

The former headquarters of Jagiellonian University – Collegium Maius – is one of the few remaining jewels of medieval architecture of the University. Its history dates back to 1400, when the Polish king Wladyslaw II Jagiello presented the University with the building. Traces of the building have been preserved to this day in the foundations and cornerstone of the Collegium Maius (from the side of Jagiellonska Street and the courtyard). Since the beginning of its existence, Jagiellonian University enjoyed worldwide publicity. Most likely due to the teaching of occult sciences such as astrology and alchemy in addition to natural sciences, mathematics, philosophy, medicine, law, astronomy, and theology.

Until the outbreak of World War II, the reputation of Polish science helped produce other venerable institutions: the University of Vilnius (1579) founded by King Stefan Batory, the Universirty of Lviv (1661) created through the efforts of Jan Kazimierz II, Warsaw University (1816), the secret Flying University (1882), the Catholic University of Lublin (1918), the University of Poznan (1919), and technical academies, such as the Academy of Mining and Metallurgy in Krakow (1919), now known as the AGH University of Science and Technology, and many other universities and technical colleges. After World War II, old institutions were reopened and new institutions were created, including the Nicolaus Copernicus University in Torun and the (former German) University of Wroclaw, bringing together faculty member from the defunct universities in Lvov and Vilnius.

Polish universities offer a high level of education and are being increasingly attractive to foreigners, especially due to the conclusion of direct agreements between foreign universities as well as international agreements between governments regarding the recognition of diplomas. Partnership initiatives have garnered great popularity, such as those between the University of Adam Mickiewicz in Poznan and the Viadrina European University in Frankfurt on the Oder, or the cooperation between the campuses of the College of Europe between Bruges, Belgium and Natolin, Poland (near Warsaw).

Higher education in Poland is developing dynamically. In the last decade more than 200 new universities were founded, and the number of students increased from 350,000 to over 1.5 million. Private universities formed since 1991 responded to the demand in the education market. Public schools were thus forced to compete. These factors have improved the quality of education and helped reformed schools according to the standards of American “entrepreneurial universities.” About 300 colleges offer students a curriculum tailored to the requirements of modern economy and the needs of a changing society.

Many Polish universities belong to prestigious organizations and associations. Poland has one of the two Central European universities which have been accredited as EQUIS – the best business association of universities in the world. This university is the Kozminiski University in Warsaw where classes are held in Polish, English, and German. The best Polish Universities are admired in the world. They provide students with practice, internships, and interesting individual programs of study. They actively participate in international research programs and exchange students. Polish universities have graduated more than 13,000 foreigners from 100 countries in the world. After returning to their home countries, these students join the elite. The work at high-level government positions, many are prominent doctors with their own clinics, other continue their careers developing industry.

In order to study, candidates need a high school graduation diploma or an equivalent document, giving access to higher education.

Until the 31st of May of each year, schools define the rules and procedures for admission to studies and the scope of the existing entrance examination candidates for the next calendar year. These rules are published on the websites of each University.

Some universities conduct predisposition and aptitude tests (applying to arts, physical education, education-related career applicants, etc.). The age of the candidate is also taken into account at military and naval colleges.

From the 1st of May 2004, foreigners which are allowed to study, conduct scientific research and train in Poland are those which are:

• Permitted to settle • Have refugee status in the Republic of Poland • Enjoy temporary protection on Polish territory • Migrant workers who are nationals of European Union Member States or EFTA countries – parties to the Agreement on the European Economic Area if they are or were employed in Poland, as well as members of their families if they live on Polish Territory • Nationals of European Union Member States or EFTA member states - parties to the Agreement on the European

Economic Area and members of their families which have the funds necessary to cover the cost of living during their studies. However they are not entitled to social maintenance grants.

Students who intend to continue studies in Poland that were begun abroad, are required to submit documents and evaluations from previous schools.

Polish diplomas are recognized by international agreements on the equivalence of educational documents or - in the case of countries with which such contracts have not been signed - on the basis of country-specific provisions regarding the recognition of foreign diplomas.

Diploma’s that have been received at Polish schools should first be legalized at the Ministry of Science and Higher Education (diplomas received at universities, polytechnical universities, academies of agricultural, economic universities, educational universities, advanced pedagogical colleges, vocational colleges, non-state universities registered at the Ministry of Science and Higher Education as well as academies of physical education), the Ministry of Health (diplomas received at medical and nursing schools), the Ministry of Culture (secondary schools and higher art universities), Ministry of Transport and Maritime Economy (Maritime colleges), or the Secretariat of the Polish Episcopate (universities and schools run by the Catholic Church), followed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

As of 1 May 2004, the qualifications at Polish universities are recognized in the European Union to be in accordance with EU regulations that distinguish between the recognition of diplomas and qualifications for academic and business purposes. In the first case, recognition of diplomas obtained in other EU countries is for the purpose of continuing education and is based on the Lisbon Convention or – if the state is not party to this Convention – on the basis of earlier conventions on the recognition of diplomas for the purpose of further education. In the case of recognition for professional purposes, the recognition of qualifications in more important than previously obtained academic degrees and titles. The recognition for qualifications obtained in another EU country is automatic in an unregulated profession; but work in other professions is regulated by general or sectoral directives (e.g. in the case of the professions of doctor, dentist, veterinary surgeon, nurse, midwife, architect). These principles also apply to the recognition of all diplomas and certificates obtained all the EU Member State universities, and have been applicable in Poland since May 2004 with no distinctions between public schools or not (both types of university diplomas are equivalent in light of the principle of recognition of diplomas in the EU). Specific information about diploma recognition is distributed in each country by national information center, specifically about the conditions for diploma recognition and periods of study (NARIC), cooperation with ENIC (www.enic-naric.net), as well as with the information network on education in Europe – EURYDICE (http://eacea.ec.europa.eu/education/eurydice/index_en.php).

Many universities also conducts classes in foreign languages, mainly in English. Medical Universities lead full educational studies (which must be paid) in the English language. In addition, some universities conduct selected classes in English.

Studying full-time at Polish higher education state schools is free. Foreigners who take up studies in Poland with the same binding rules as Polish citizens can also study for free in state schools. The remaining foreign fees apply. They amount to no less than the equivalent of:

• 2000 euros per year – for participation in a language course, including the preparatory course of study in Polish.

At the request of the student, in legitimate cases the Rector of the university can reduce the fee or waive it altogether.

The cost of Student Residence Housing is about 140-200 euros a month for a single room, and 50-80 euros for a shared room.

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UNIVERSITY OF LODZ

A decision of authorities of the University of Lodz to reduce a tuition fee for the citizens of Azerbaijan for studies in Polish and English

On 20th February 2017 the Senate of the University of Lodz approved a decision to grant a 50% tuition fee reduction for the citizens of Azerbaijan, who will start studies in the academic year 2017/2018.

On the basis of the University of Lodz Senate’s decision the citizens of Azerbaijan will get a reduced tuition fee for the selected course of studies. The tuition fee reduction will apply throughout the whole period of Bachelor studies (3 years), Engineer studies (3,5 years), Major studies (1,5 – 2 years) and Doctoral studies (3-4 years).